Fruit Heights shifts justice court to Davis

FARMINGTON — Fruit Heights has opted to cede its jurisdiction for its justice court to Davis County.

The Fruit Heights City Council voted unanimously to make the change, which was approved by Davis County commissioners Tuesday. West Bountiful took the same action earlier this year.

The move is expected to save Fruit Heights money by eliminating contracts with the Davis County Sheriff's Office for a bailiff, with the Davis County attorney for prosecutors, with part-time judge David Miller and the salary of a part-time court clerk.

Justice courts are the regular vehicle for adjudicating class B and C misdemeanors, small claims, and city and county ordinance violations.

Fruit Heights Mayor Todd Stevenson said the city expects to save $25,000-$30,000 a year with the change.

"For a city our size, that's a substantial amount," Stevenson said.

Davis County Justice Court Judge Jerald Jensen will begin presiding over Fruit Heights cases around Nov. 1, Stevenson said.

Any fines and forfeitures that result from Fruit Heights cases heard at the Davis County Justice Court will be split 50-50 with the city and the county.

"We're looking at ways to save some money without raising taxes," city manager Brandon Green has said.

Stevenson said eliminating the court clerk's job "was the most painful part of the whole thing."

But Fruit Heights residents expect the City Council to run a lean and efficient city, Stevenson said.

The county also has justice court jurisdiction for Farmington, Kaysville, West Point, Layton and Bountiful, and more could be on the way, said Davis County Commissioner Bret Millburn.

e-mail: jdougherty@desnews.com

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